Earlier this week, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs Grant Harris met with a group of twenty-seven young African leaders at the White House, continuing the Administration’s engagement with Africa’s next generation of leaders. These distinguished young leaders were selected from twenty-three nations across sub-Saharan Africa to participate in a U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program entitled “'Young African Leaders: Grassroots Democracy and the U.S. Elections.” The objectives of this particular program are to provide an understanding of democracy in the U.S. and the significance of citizen participation in the democratic process; examine how citizen action groups interact with U.S. elected officials in an effort to influence political, social, and economic change; observe mechanisms for voter outreach; and explore the diversity of views held by Americans and how this diversity contributes to a dynamic and resilient political system. The U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa , released in June 2012, prioritizes efforts to empower Africa’s next generation of leaders. President Obama highlighted this when he announced the Strategy, saying: “These young men and women have shown time and again the willingness and ability to change their communities and their countries for the better, and the United States will continue to be their steadfast ally and partner.” (Courtesy of the U.S. Department of State) read more